LOS ANGELES — A sense of trepidation enveloped millions in Southern California on Wednesday as predictions pointed to a new wave of hazardous fire weather, coupled with a severe alert labeled a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” in areas scarred by two catastrophic wildfires, which have claimed at least 25 lives and obliterated countless homes.
Firefighters were greeted with a temporary relief on Tuesday, as wind conditions were unexpectedly mild, allowing them to make headway against the massive blazes consuming the Los Angeles region, while also quickly extinguishing several smaller fires.
The Eaton Fire, burning just north of Los Angeles, and the Palisades Fire, which devastated much of the Pacific Palisades coastal neighborhood, sparked to life on January 7 under similarly threatening conditions. The high winds from the previous week had propelled flames with astonishing speed, causing embers to ignite new fires even miles away.
In response to the impending dangers, the National Weather Service implemented red flag warnings across a vast stretch—from the Central Coast down to the Mexico border—starting early Wednesday morning and running through the afternoon. This included critical areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where the “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert was activated.
Authorities emphasized the unpredictability of the situation, noting that while winds had died down for a day, the potential for a resurgence remained, particularly as evening approached. Over 77,000 homes were left without power, as utility companies preemptively shut off electricity to avoid any risk of their lines igniting new fires.
Residents have been warned to remain vigilant, prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. There were approximately 50 arrests reported, related to looting and other crimes, including the use of drones in fire-affected zones and curfew violations.
Among those arrested, three suspects faced charges of arson after being caught attempting to start small fires outside immediate disaster areas. Additionally, a group was charged with looting an evacuated home, which included stealing an Emmy award, according to the district attorney.
The focus remains on the ferocious winds that could reignite flames. Fire crews, now receiving assistance from neighboring states, Canada, and Mexico, have been implemented to combat flare-ups as the firefighting effort has expanded significantly from the situation a week ago, which saw thousands of homes at risk.
Kaylin Johnson, whose home is one of the few left standing in Altadena, has chosen to remain vigilant. She expressed through a text message that their lives have been put on pause, constrained by restrictions on entering burn areas, yet she prefers being on-site to potentially prevent further losses.
Residents are preparing for the worst, with many like Javier Vega planning how to swiftly evacuate their pets in case of an order to flee. Vega echoed the sentiment of fear and anxiety, stating that the ambient noise of helicopters flying overhead, typically worrisome, has become almost comforting in this crisis as they work to combat the flames.
Firefighting efforts have included aerial operations, as planes released fire-retardant chemicals over vulnerable areas. Officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have expressed confidence in their strategic response to the ongoing crisis, with the mayor noting the sheer devastation observed during her aerial survey.
Forecasts suggest this round of winds might not reach the extreme levels of the previous week, though they could hinder firefighting aircraft operations. The fire chief has urged those without shelter to refrain from starting fires for warmth.
With minimal rainfall over the past eight months, California has faced over a dozen wildfires this year, predominantly in the Los Angeles area. Firefighters have been prompt in addressing smaller fires, successfully quelling several in the Angeles National Forest, while the larger blazes have consumed extensive land—over 63 square miles across the region.
The death toll may continue to escalate, with nearly 30 individuals still reported missing. Since the initial wave of evacuations, the number of residents under emergency orders has halved, affecting close to 90,000 people.
The ongoing crisis has also disrupted Hollywood’s awards season, leading to multiple delays in Oscar nominations and postponements of various award-related events.
